On the first day of Cubsmas
My true love gave to me
An Anthony Rizzo retirement for the ages,
On the second day of Cubsmas
My true love gave to me
A $2 scorecard
On the third day of Cubsmas My true love
gave to me Three Schwarbombs in the first All-Star Game Home Run Swing-Off
On the fourth day of Cubsmas
My true love gave to me
Four playoff wins
On the fifth day of Cubsmas
My true love gave to me
A five game winning streak
On the sixth day of Cubsmas
My true love gave to me
A six (and a half) game lead
On the seventh day of Cubsmas
My true love gave to me
Seven walk-off wins
On the eighth day of Cubsmas
My true love gave to me
Eight home runs on the Fourth of July
On the ninth day of Cubsmas
My true love gave to me
Nine incredible Dansby Swanson plays in the Postseason
Eight home runs on the Fourth of July
Seven walk-off wins
A six (and a half) game lead
A five game winning streak
Four playoff wins
Three Schwarbombs in the first All-Star Game Home Run Swing-Off
A $2 scorecard
And an Anthony Rizzo retirement for the ages
One of the hallmarks of this Cubs team is excellent up the middle defense. Whether it’s Nico Hoerner at second, Dansby Swanson at shortstop or Pete Crow-Armstrong in centerfield, the Cubs have made BABIP luck as difficult as possible for any ball hit in the vicinity of those elite fielders.
That Cubs defense was on display during the playoffs. Padres manager Mike Shildt had high praise for the Cubs shortstop after the Wild Card Series saying:
“Dansby played his tail off, man. He almost single-handedly beat us with his glove. One thing that we don’t talk about as much anymore is your defense, and this time of year, your defense — we play great defense, but Dansby Swanson absolutely beat us with his glove this series.”
So let’s take a closer look at nine plays where Dansby Swanson made a difference with his glove this Postseason. Hat tip to Brendan Miller on Twitter, who’s be celebrating great Cubs defense all offseason and provided the inspiration for the ninth day of Cubsmas.
Wild Card Series Game 1: Dansby saves a run
The Padres were threatening early during Game One, with one run in and a runner at third base. Ryan O’Hearn absolutely scorched a ball 102 MPH off the bat — right at Dansby [VIDEO].
Wild Card Series Game 1: An over the shoulder grab
With runners at the corners and one out in the fourth, Dansby saved another run. This pop up is hit to no-man’s land between shortstop and the outfield. If Swanson doesn’t snag it, the Padres would have a two run lead [VIDEO].
Wild Card Series Game 2: Ends the inning with an off-balance throw
The Cubs weren’t able to win game 2 of this series, but the score could have been a lot more lopsided without Dansby at shortstop. Here, he ends the Padres scoring threat in the sixth with a perfect throw as he ranges to the third base side of shortstop [VIDEO].
Wild Card Series Game 2: A strong throw gets Cronenworth
Dansby makes a strong throw from the edge of the grass at shortstop to nab Jake Cronenworth and end the Padres scoring threat in the third inning during Game 2 [VIDEO].
Wild Card Series Game 3: An unbelievable double play
This might be my favorite play in the whole set. Dansby snags a ball up the middle, takes it to second himself, shows he’s got hops and throws out Jackson Merrill at first base to end the sixth inning [VIDEO].
Wild Card Series Game 3: No hit for you, Luis Arráez
The best contact hitter in baseball hits a line drive just over Dansby’s head. Swanson can’t quite make the catch, but he knocks the ball down and throws to first for a clutch out [VIDEO].
Wild Card Series Game 3: “You Shall Not Pass”
This is probably my favorite call of Dansby’s heroics during the Postseason, as Dansby makes another elite stop sliding and turning around to steal another hit from Luis Arráez [VIDEO].
NLDS Game 1: Smooth sliding stop
This didn’t have quite the dramatics of some of the Wild Card action with the Brewers up 9-3, but the play is still outstanding. Dansby makes a smooth sliding stop and throws out William Contreras [VIDEO].
NLDS Game 5: An elite double play
Nico Hoerner starts this double play, but there is almost no chance they get speedster Jackson Chourio at first base without Dansby Swanson at second. He tags the bag, avoids the runner and makes a quick throw to nab Chourio, keeping a must-win game tied in the bottom of the third inning [VIDEO].
While the Cubs weren’t able to win that Game 5, the Postseason was a good reminder of the value of their elite defense. I’m looking forward to seeing some more Dansby Swanson highlights in 2026.
